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The Latest News from SHRM More Firms Offer Benefits to Employees' Same-Sex Partners
More employers are extending health insurance benefits to employees' domestic partners, including to same-sex partners, according to the latest Human Rights Campaign (HRC) survey. Since 2003, 926 more employers—a 13 percent increase—have begun providing such health insurance coverage, said The State of the Workplace for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Americans.
(SHRM Members Only)
Experts: Reassess Personality Tests in Light of Court Decision
Some see it as an opportunity for HR executives to reassess their approach to hiring. Others see it as a wake-up call for employers to re-examine their test practices. But regardless, say legal experts, the June decision by the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that a widely used personality test violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) means that employers should re-examine the need for testing and what tests they give job applicants and candidates competing for promotions.
(SHRM Members Only)
Study: Flexible Schedules Boost Performance, Productivity
A pilot program involving 10 major U.S. companies shows a measurable, direct link between flexible work arrangements and improved performance and increased productivity, according to findings from the Workplace Flexibility Effectiveness Demonstration Project released July 18.
(SHRM Members Only)
Rules Issued on Electronic Transmission of Benefits Data
Newly proposed regulations from the federal government would make it easier for employers to transmit certain data about benefits to employees and other beneficiaries through electronic means. The regulations, released by the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service, would require that employers obtain consent from the consumer before electronic transmission of the information could occur.
More HR News resources: Test your knowledge with the HR News Weekly Quiz Add SHRM news feeds to My Yahoo!, MSN or your website HR News archive Washington Scoreboard
| | | COURT REPORT | | HR SOLUTIONS | | |  Ninth Circuit Treats Reading as ADA 'Major Life Activity'
An employee’s sworn statement that he was substantially impaired with respect to various major life activities—including reading—was sufficient to bring his case to trial under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has held, marking the first time a court has ruled that reading is a major life activity. Court Report home page
| |  Enforcing Courtesy
Q: An issue that seems to recur time and time again is proper workplace courtesy. Can you provide us with guidelines to share with employees about workplace etiquette?
A: Many employers have found that establishing guidelines for courtesy at work can reduce conflict and stress. The SHRM Information Center has some suggestions that may be helpful. Read full answer HR Solutions home page | |
 | Featured in SHRMStore
Shaping Your HR Role
Organizations continue to function in a lean and mean manner, and HR professionals are now required to manage outsourcing functions and move through multiple internal roles quickly. This book will act as a roadmap to help them plan and implement these roles quickly and efficiently, aligned to their organizations strategy. Order/read more about this book | | HR MAGAZINE
Attitude Adjustments
If you are managing an employee with a "bad attitude," trying to fix it will do no good. This month's "Management Tools" column in HR Magazine says the best way to deal with an attitudinally deficient employee is to put aside your concern about the attitude itself and concentrate instead on the specific behaviors that are sending your blood pressure into the stratosphere. Subscribe to HR Magazine
FROM THE FORUMS
Employment Management: Online Assessments Speed Candidate Selection Process Global: Australia Aims to Boost Indigenous Employment HR Technology: HHS Health IT Advisory Panel Open to Employers Comp & Benefits: Salaries, Use of Bonuses Both on the Rise
BEST PLACES TO WORK
Nominate Your Organization as a 'Best Place to Work'
Don’t miss the Aug. 15, 2005, nomination deadline for the 2006 Best Small & Medium Companies to Work for in America selection process. Make sure to complete the online registration form to be considered (the list is for companies with between 50 and 999 employees). For more details, visit www.shrm.org/bestcompanies or www.greatplacetowork.com.
HR TALK
Bereavement Leave Survey
"We currently give employees 3 bereavement days for the loss of an immediate family member and 1 day off for the loss of a grandparent or in-law. But we'd like to see if that is common and see what other employers are doing. How many days off do you all in HR Land give? Your input will be greatly appreciated." Participate in this discussion thread Trade ideas, thoughts and best practices on HR Talk
SHRM CUSTOMER SERVICE
Society Upgrades Member Database
SHRM will soon implement a comprehensive upgrade of the software system used to maintain and process member, customer and financial data, including membership renewals and applications, credit card payments, and conference and event registrations. HR News has posted an article about how the transition to the new platform, scheduled for the first week of August, will affect SHRM members.
CERTIFICATION
Get Ahead, Get Certified
Get certified this winter and fulfill your new year's resolution before the year is over. Register to take the PHR, SPHR or GPHR exam during the next testing window, December 1, 2005 - January 31, 2006. The regular application deadline is September 30. Download and read the HRCI Certification Handbook and then apply online today.
LIVE CHAT
HRCI Recertification Counselor Online Chat
Join us for a live chat Friday at 12 Noon, EDT, as HRCI Staff takes your questions regarding the HRCI recertification process. SHRM Chats are free of charge and no registration is required. You can post your questions in advance.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Diversity in Vegas
SHRM presents the Workplace Diversity Conference, Oct. 24-26, 2005, in Las Vegas. Join leaders in the field of diversity management at this 2 1/2-day forum. Take advantage of early bird rates and register today! Read more about SHRM's Diversity Conference
SHRM INFORMATION CENTER
Forms, Toolkit Added to Database
A retiree drug subsidy toolkit has been added to the SHRM sample database. Also, a variety of new forms are available.
Toolkits Retiree Drug Subsidy Toolkit
Forms Driver's Information Sheet
Reference Request: Educational Records
Reference Request: Information from Former Employer
College Recruitment Letter
Offer Letter: Internal Applicant
COBRA Administration Checklist
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) Questionnaire
EXPRESS REQUEST
Retiree Drug Subsidy Applications Due Sept. 30
Employers interested in applying for the Medicare Modernization Act's 2006 Retiree Drug Subsidy Program, take note: According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' web site, there are five primary steps in the subsidy application process. Read more.
Next issue of HR Week: Monday, Aug. 1, 2005 | |
 The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) is the world's largest association devoted to human resource management. Representing more than 200,000 individual members, the Society's mission is to serve the needs of HR professionals by providing the most essential and comprehensive resources available. As an influential voice, the Society's mission is also to advance the human resource profession to ensure that HR is recognized as an essential partner in developing and executing organizational strategy. Founded in 1948, SHRM currently has more than 500 affiliated chapters and members in more than 100 countries.
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July 25, 2005
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